Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1682)

Chapter 25 Device Control Settings and Presets 331
IV
Timecode Transferred Via Serial Device Control
Final Cut Pro can use two kinds of timecode sent over a remote serial connection:
 LTC: LTC (longitudinal timecode) is recorded as an audio signal on a dedicated
timecode track.
 VITC: VITC (vertical interval timecode) is recorded as part of the video signal, using
several video lines that are normally masked by consumer televisions. Lines 16 and 18
of the vertical blanking portion of the video signal are commonly used.
Final Cut Pro can also automatically switch between LTC and VITC if they are both
available:
 LTC+VITC: If you choose this setting, Final Cut Pro looks at both timecodes so that
accurate timecode can be read no matter what speed the tape is playing (LTC is used
for normal and high-speed playback; VITC is used for slow motion and pause).
For more information about LTC and VITC timecode, see “ Timecode on Tape ” on
page 386.
To take advantage of the Edit to Tape feature (described in Chapter 14, “ Assemble and
Insert Editing Using Edit to Tape ,” on page 185), your video device must support insert
editing. These VTRs can use timecode In and Out points, along with defined video and
audio tracks, and perform a frame-accurate edit.
Using a Non-Controllable Device
If you have a camcorder or deck without device control, you can still capture and edit
clips in Final Cut Pro. You need to start and stop your camcorder or deck manually
when you use the Log and Capture and Print to Video commands.
Once you capture a clip manually, you have virtually no chance of recapturing exactly
the same media with the same In and Out points. If you think you may need to reedit a
project that includes manually captured media files, back up the media files along with
your project file.